Lily Wu has taken the oath of office to begin her term as Wichita’s new mayor.

A swearing in ceremony was held Monday evening in the City Council chambers at City Hall for Wu and three Council members.

Wu encouraged Wichita residents to attend Council meetings and get involved in the issues affecting the community.  She said “We’re part of Team Wichita.  Being a Wichitan is both a privilege and a responsibility.  All of us play a role in making our city a better place to live, work and raise a family.”

The mayor said the city is facing challenges, including over 100 police officer vacancies, increasing homelessness, a drought, a brain-drain and a looming budget deficit.  She said in facing those challenges, “We will conduct business with integrity, humility and respect.  We will get back to the basics by focusing on priorities and protecting taxpayer dollars. We will engage and energize our community by listening first to understand and communicating better.”   She listed priorities as public safety, strengthening the economy, restoring trust in City Hall and building a united community.

2nd District Council member Becky Tuttle was sworn in for her second term, along with new Council members Dalton Glasscock in District 4 and J.V. Johnston in District 5.

Outgoing mayor Brandon Whipple was presented with the Key to the City by Vice Mayor Mike Hoheisel.  Whipple said Wichita is a stronger community with a city that has reinvested its budget surplus in fire, police, and infrastructure at a level never before seen.  He said the city’s economy is leading the state in growth and opportunity and it has one of the lowest sustained unemployment rates that it has ever had.   He said that success hasn’t happened in a vacuum but it’s because of the efforts of the people who work at City Hall.   Whipple said he is optimistic and excited about Mayor Wu beginning her term, saying Wichita is bigger than politics, and “we are stronger and we are better when we work together.”